Tissue cleaner and oral care implement

ABSTRACT

An oral care implement having a tissue cleaning pad. In one aspect, the oral care implement includes a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface of the head. A tissue cleaning pad is positioned on the rear surface of the head. The tissue cleaning pad has a planar top surface bounded by a perimetric edge and a plurality of protrusions extending from the planar top surface. The perimetric edge of the planar top surface of the tissue cleaning pad has a first portion that is flush with the rear surface of the head and a second portion that is raised relative to the rear surface of the head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/367,846, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, which is a U.S. national stageapplication under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No.PCT/US2011/066568, filed Dec. 21, 2011, the entireties of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the American Dental Association, a major source of badbreath in healthy people is microbial deposits on the tongue, where abacterial coating harbors organisms and debris that contribute to badbreath. The tongue is a haven for the growth of microorganisms since thepapillary nature of the tongue surface creates a unique ecological sitethat provides an extremely large surface area, favoring the accumulationof oral bacteria. Anaerobic flora and bacteria residing on the tongueplay an important role in the development of chronic bad breath commonlycalled halitosis. In general, the bacteria produce volatile sulfurcompounds (VSC). If there is enough buildup of the sulfur compounds, theresult can be bad breath or oral malodor.

Bladed tongue scrapers have been used in the past, but some users avoidthe use of such blades because of lack of comfort on the tongue surface.Hence, there is a need for an oral care implement with a tissue cleanserthat provides effective removal of bacteria and other debris from thetongue and other soft tissue surfaces while maintaining comfort to theuser.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An oral care implement is provided, in one embodiment, with a headhaving a plurality of spaced-apart tissue cleaning pads radiallyarranged around a central axis to form a grouping, each pad having aninner region close to the central axis and an outer region spaced awayfrom the central axis, the inner region being raised relative to theouter region and having scraping surfaces along certain edge regions forimproved cleaning of the soft tissue in an oral cavity. The outerregions of the tissue cleaning pads are preferably flush with an outersurface of the head to provide comfort to a user as the oral careimplement is drawn across a user's soft tissue surfaces. In anotherembodiment, each pad further preferably includes one or more protrusionsalong an upper surface thereof to provide additional cleaning surfaces.

In one aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement comprising: ahead having a front surface and an opposite rear surface; a plurality oftooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head; atissue cleaning pad positioned on the rear surface of the head andcomprising a planar top surface bounded by a perimetric edge; aplurality of protrusions extending from the planar top surface of thetissue cleaning pad; and wherein the perimetric edge of the planar topsurface of the tissue cleaning pad comprises a first portion that isflush with the rear surface of the head and a second portion that israised relative to the rear surface of the head.

In another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementcomprising: a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface;a plurality of tissue cleaning pads positioned on the rear surface ofthe head in a spaced-apart manner and arranged in a grouping, eachtissue cleaning pad further comprising a top surface that is slopedrelative to the rear surface of the head; and wherein each tissuecleaning pad in the grouping is connected to at least two other tissuecleaning pads in the grouping by a bridge member.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementcomprising: a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface;a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surfaceof the head; a tissue cleaning pad positioned on the rear surface of thehead, the tissue cleaning pad comprising: a top surface; a first wallextending from the rear surface of the head to the top surface; and asecond wall extending from the rear surface of the head to the topsurface and intersecting the first wall; and wherein each of the firstand second walls is oblique to the rear surface of the head.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an oral care implement.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the rear of the head of the oralcare implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various embodiments of arrangements of tissuecleaner pads.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of an oral care implement.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of the rear of the head of the oralcare implement of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6B illustrates a close-up view of an aspect of the rear of thehead.

FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-section taken along line 6C-6C of FIG. 6B.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate various embodiments of arrangements of tissuecleaner pads.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of an oral care implement.

FIG. 11A illustrates one embodiment of the head of the oral careimplement of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B illustrates one embodiment of the tissue cleaning pads andtooth cleaning elements of the oral care implement of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such preferred embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of an oral care implement 100 havinga representative handle 200 for gripping by a user (not shown), a head300 and a neck 250 defined therebetween. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,the oral care implement 100 is shown as a toothbrush where the head 300has a first or front side 320 provided with tooth cleaning elements 150,and a second or rear side 340 having a rear surface 350 on which isprovided one or more tissue-cleaning pads 400 for cleaning the softtissue of the oral cavity such as the tongue and cheeks, for example.The rear side 340 and surface 350 is shown as relatively flat forpurposes of describing certain features, although it will be appreciatedthat the head 300 and its respective surfaces may be curved or otherwisecontoured as desired. The toothbrush 100 may be manual or powered or acombination of the same, and may be any shape, size, or material, whilethe cleaning elements 150 can be formed from any material compositionand configuration as desired. For example, the cleaning elements 150 maycomprise nylon bristles, elastomeric elements, rubber elements, and/orcombinations of the same. The handle 200 is illustrated generically, itbeing understood that the handle 200 can be contoured, provided withgripping elements to enhance handling, and other features known in theart.

As shown in FIG. 2, each tissue-cleaning pad 400 further comprises anouter surface 410 having a plurality of edge regions 420, 430 that areat least partially raised from the rear surface 350 of the rear side 340of the head 300, and at least one additional edge region 440 that isadjacent or substantially flush with the rear surface 350. Theadditional edge region 440 forms a smooth transition between the rearsurface 350 of the head 300 and the tongue cleaning pads 400 that iscomfortable to the user. The edge regions 420, 430 are elevated from therear surface 350 by sloped walls 421, 431 that extend from a first area422, 432 adjacent the rear surface 350 and converge toward anintersection 426 of the walls 421, 431. The intersection 426 of thewalls 421, 431 may form a relatively sharp corner or it may comprise asmooth surface, or a combination of the same. Additional surfacefeatures or contours are possible. The edge regions 420, 430 intersectat an area that forms an apex 425 of the outer surface 410 where theapex 425 defines the highest elevation of the outer surface 410 relativeto the rear surface 350 of the rear side 340 of the head 300.

Each wall 421, 431 functions as a scraping surface for scraping bacteriaand the like from soft tissue that enters the spaces between the pads400 and that contacts the walls 421, 431 of each pad as the oral careimplement 100 is drawn across the various surfaces of soft tissue in theoral cavity. One or each wall 421, 431 may optionally further comprise arecessed central portion 423, 433 (FIG. 3) that is preferably slightlyinwardly curved to provide an additional scooping action in addition toa scraping action, wherein the edge regions 420, 430 slightly overhangthe recessed central portions 423, 433. The overall scraping actionexperienced by the pad walls 421, 431 is mitigated by the smoothness ofthe transition between the additional edge regions 440 and the headsurface 350 provided around the outer edge of each pad 400. Thus, a userwill obtain the cleaning benefit of the scraping walls 421, 431 near theintersections of the pads without being subject to an aggressive padtopography formed by scraping surfaces along all of the edge regions420, 430, 440. The tissue cleaning pads 400 are preferably composed of asoft and pliable elastomeric material for comfortable cleaning andeffective removal of bacteria and debris disposed on the surface of thetongue, other soft tissue in the mouth and even along the lips. Thetissue cleaner pads 400 also provide effective massaging, stimulationand removal of bacteria, debris and epithelial cells from the surfacesof the tongue, cheeks, gums or lips. The pads preferably have a Shorehardness of 8 to 35 Shore A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there are a plurality of spaced-apart(bifurcated), wedge-shaped tissue cleaning pads 400 radially arrangedaround a central axis 450 to form a plurality of groupings 460, 470.While a plurality of groupings 460, 470 are shown, it will beappreciated that only one grouping (FIG. 4A) may be used, or more thantwo groupings (not shown) if desired. Other arrangements are possible.In addition, while wedge-shaped pads 400 are shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3, for example, it will be appreciated that other shapes andconfigurations are possible, such as, but not limited to, circular (FIG.4A), oval (FIG. 4B), diamond-shaped (FIG. 4C), and the like.

Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the pads 400 in each grouping are interconnectedby bridges 405, while an additional bridge 465 spans between one pad 400from each grouping 460, 470 to interconnect the groupings 460, 470together. While a bridge 465 is defined between groupings 460, 470, eachgrouping may exist independent of the other, in which case a bridge maynot be provided between groupings. The bridges 465, 460, 470positionally align the pads 400 relative to each other and increase thestructural integrity of the pad groupings during the manufacturingprocess. The bridges 405, 465 may be flush with the rear surface 350 ofthe head 300 as shown, or they may be embedded within the head (notshown) so that only the pads 400 are visible, or they may be situated ontop of the rear surface 350 of the head 300. In addition, the bridges405, 465 may be located toward the centers of the pads 400 as shown, orthey may be situated in different locations relative to the pads 400 asdesired. A variety of different aesthetic effects may also be created byvarying the relative positions of the pads, or of the bridges relativeto the pads, and by varying the relative positions of each grouping ofpads.

FIGS. 5-6C illustrate another embodiment of an oral care implement 500having a handle 600 for gripping by a user (not shown), a head 700 and aneck 650 defined therebetween, the head 700 having a first or front side720 provided with tooth cleaning elements 800, and a second or rear side740 having a rear surface 750 on which is provided one or moretissue-cleaning pads 900 enhanced with protrusions 980 for cleaning thesoft tissue of the oral cavity such as the tongue and cheeks, forexample. The rear side 740 and surface 750 is shown as relatively flatfor purposes of describing certain features, although it will beappreciated that the head 700 and its respective surfaces may be curvedor otherwise contoured as desired. The toothbrush 500 may be manual orpowered or a combination of the same, and may be any shape, size, ormaterial, while the cleaning elements 800 can be formed from anymaterial composition and configuration as desired. The handle 600 isillustrated generically, it being understood that the handle 600 can becontoured, provided with gripping elements to enhance handling, andother features known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, each tissue-cleaning pad 900 further comprisesan outer surface 910 having a plurality of edge regions 920, 930 thatare at least partially raised from the rear surface 750 of the rear side740 of the head 700, and at least one additional edge region 940 that isadjacent or substantially flush with the rear surface 750. The pads 900are interconnected by bridges 905 and are radially arranged around acentral axis 950 to form groupings 960, 970 that are interconnected by abridge 965. The edge regions 920, 930 are elevated from the rear surface750 by sloped walls 921, 931 that converge toward an intersection 926and that form scraping surfaces as previously described. The outersurface 910 of each pad 900 further comprises a plurality of bar-shapedprotrusions 980 that are arranged along the outer surface 910 of the pad900 and that are directionally oriented toward the central axis 950. Thebar-shaped protrusions 980 generally comprise a proximal end 982, adistal end 983, and an upper surface 984. The bar-shaped protrusionshave a thickness 986 (FIG. 6C) and extend a height 987 from the rearsurface 750 of the head 700. Additionally, the bar-shaped protrusions980 extend for a length 988 (FIG. 6A) along the outer surface 910 of thepad 900 and are directionally oriented from the edge region 940 to theedge regions 920, 930 toward the central axis 950. The length 988 ofeach bar-shaped protrusion 980 may vary from an adjacent bar-shapedprotrusion by virtue of the changing geometry of the outer surface 910of the pad 900. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar-shaped protrusionwith the greatest length is aligned with the intersection 926 of thewalls 921, 931 and the apex 925 of the outer surface 910. This providesat least one bar-shaped protrusion at the highest elevation foradditional reach between the papillae of the tongue and other softtissue during use of the toothbrush 500. Preferably, the height 987 ofthe bar-shaped protrusions is between 0.5 mm and 1.25 mm as measuredfrom the rear surface 750 of the head 700. The upper surface 984 of eachof the bar-shaped protrusions 980 has curved outer edges 985 so as tominimize sharp edges at the point of contact with the soft tissue. Inone embodiment, the bar shaped protrusions 980 are arranged in asubstantially parallel configuration relative to each other. However,other arrangements are possible including non-parallel configurationswherein the proximal end 982 of each bar-shaped protrusion 980 is towardthe apex 925, while the distal end 983 of each bar-shaped protrusionfans out in alignment with the sloped walls 921, 931 (see, for example,FIG. 8).

The bar-shaped protrusions 980 are preferably made of the same materialas the pad 900. In some embodiments, the bar-shaped protrusions 980 andthe pad 900 are made of a thermoplastic elastomer. In other embodiments,however, the bar-shaped protrusions 980 and the pad 900 are each made ofa different material. For example, the bar-shaped protrusions could be aplastic that is the same material as the head 700 and molded togetherwith the head in a first step in the molding process. The pad 900 couldbe made of a second softer material, preferably a thermoplasticelastomer having a Shore A hardness in the range of 8 to 35 Shore A. Thesofter pad 900 would then be injection molded over the head 700 suchthat the bar-shaped protrusions extend from the outer surface of thehead and through the pad 900 so that the outer surface of the bar-shapedprotrusion 980 is exposed through the pad 900. Alternatively, the pad900 could be injection molded over the bar-shaped protrusion 980 so thatthe bar-shaped protrusion 980 is made of the inner, harder plastic,which is covered by an outer layer of the softer material from which thepad 900 is made. In one embodiment, the bar-shaped protrusion is made ofpolypropylene and the pad 900 is made of thermoplastic elastomer havinga Shore A hardness in the range of 8 to 35 Shore A. While barprotrusions 980 are shown, it will be appreciated that otherconfigurations are possible, including, but not limited to, bumps asshown for example in FIG. 7, a combination of bumps and bars as shownfor example in FIG. 8, or single protrusions such as the singlestar-shaped protrusions shown in FIG. 9. Other configurations arepossible. The protrusions 980 provide the pads 900 with additionalscraping surfaces that act in conjunction with the sloped walls 921, 931for cleaning bacteria from soft tissue. However, even though theprotrusions 980 provides an enhanced sensory experience for the user,the additional edge regions 940 maintain a smooth transition between therear surface 750 of the head 700 and the pads 900 to minimize theaggressiveness of the outwardly oriented edges of the pads 900.

FIGS. 10-11B illustrate yet another embodiment of an oral care implement1000 having a handle 1100 for gripping by a user (not shown), a head1200 and a neck 1150 defined therebetween. The head 1200 has a first orfront side 1220 provided with tooth cleaning elements 1300, and a secondor rear side 1240 having a rear surface 1250 on which is provided one ormore tissue-cleaning pads 1400. The rear side 1240 and surface 1250 isshown as relatively flat for purposes of describing certain features,although it will be appreciated that the head 1200 and its respectivesurfaces may be curved or otherwise contoured as desired. The tissuecleaning pads 1400 have associated tooth cleaning elements 1600depending from connecting members 1500 that extend through the head1200, the tooth cleaning elements 1600 preferably being formed from thesame material as the tissue cleaning pads 1400 for ease ofmanufacturing. The tooth cleaning elements 1300 shown in FIG. 10 areomitted from FIGS. 11A-11B to better illustrate the tooth cleaningelements 1600. The handle 1100 is illustrated generically, it beingunderstood that the handle 1100 can be contoured, provided with grippingelements to enhance handling, and other features known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, each tissue-cleaning pad 1400 furthercomprises an outer surface 1410 having a plurality of edge regions 1420,1430 that are at least partially raised from the rear surface 1250 ofthe rear side 1240 of the head 1200, and at least one additional edgeregion 1440 that is adjacent or substantially flush with the rearsurface 1250. The pads 1400 are preferably interconnected by bridges1405 and are radially arranged around a central axis 1450 to formgroupings 1460, 1470 that are interconnected by a bridge 1465. The edgeregions 1420, 1430 intersect along an area 1425 that is near the centralaxis 1450 and are elevated from the rear surface 1250 by sloped walls1421, 1431. The outer surface 1410 of each pad 1400 further comprises aplurality of bar-shaped protrusions 1480 that are arranged in asubstantially parallel configuration along the outer surface 1410 of thepad 1400 and that are directionally oriented toward the central axis1450. While bar protrusions are shown, it will be appreciated that otherconfigurations are possible.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11B, each grouping 1460, 1470 describes abifurcated tissue-cleaning pad defined by a plurality of spaced-apartwedge-shaped pads 1400 radially arranged around a central axis 1450 andconnected by bridges 1405, 1465, each pad having one or more protrusions1480, an inner region 1425 close to the central axis 1450 and an outerregion 1440 spaced away from the central axis 1450, the inner region1425 being raised relative to the outer region 1440. The tooth cleaningelements 1600 are similarly bifurcated into a plurality of individualtooth cleaning elements 1610 that each extend downward through the head1200 (FIG. 11A) relative to the pads 1400, where first and secondgroupings 1660, 1670 of tooth cleaning elements 1610 extend from thefirst and second groupings 1460, 1470 of pads 1400. The bridge 1465between the pad groupings 1460, 1470 links the cleaning elementgroupings 1660, 1670 together to form a unified arrangement of tissuecleaning pads 1400 and tooth cleaning elements 1610, where the tissuecleaning pads are arranged in a first plane and the tooth cleaningelements 1610 are arranged in a second plane that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first plane. The unified arrangement allows for thetissue cleaning pads 1400 to be injection molded with the tooth cleaningelements 1610 in a single injection-molding step during themanufacturing process. This creates an efficiency in the process whichallows for faster manufacturing while at the same time increasing thestructural integrity of the tissue cleaning pads 1400 and the toothcleaning elements 1610.

In one grouping 1460, the connecting members 1500 extend from thebridges 1405 interconnecting the pads 1400, while in another grouping1470 the connecting members 1500 extend from the pads 1400. Otherconnection scenarios are possible. Each cleaning element 1610 furthercomprises outer protrusions 1680 extending along a plane that issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the pad protrusions 1480,and inner protrusions 1690 defined within the interior of a grouping1660, 1670 of elements 1610, the protrusions 1680, 1690 providingscraping surfaces upon impact with a user's teeth and soft tissue ifdesired. In one grouping 1460, 1660 the protrusions 1480, 1680 aredirectionally aligned, while in the other grouping 1470, 1670 theprotrusions are not aligned.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral care implement comprising: a head havinga front surface and an opposite rear surface; a plurality of toothcleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head; aplurality of tissue cleaning pads positioned on the rear surface of thehead, each comprising a top surface bounded by a perimetric edge andradially arranged around a central axis in a spaced apart manner; aplurality of protrusions extending from the top surface of the tissuecleaning pads; and wherein the perimetric edge of the top surface of thetissue cleaning pads comprises a first portion that is flush with therear surface of the head and a second portion that is raised relative tothe rear surface of the head; and wherein the second portions of theperimetric edges of the top surfaces of the tissue cleaning pads arelocated closer to the central axis than the first portions of theperimetric edges of the top surfaces of the tissue cleaning pads.
 2. Theoral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric edge ofthe top surface of the tissue cleaning pad comprises a first edge, asecond edge, and a third edge, an entirety of the first edge is flushwith the rear surface of the head, each of the second and third edgesextend from the first edge to an intersection point, and a distancemeasured between each of the second and third edges and the rear surfaceof the head continuously decreases with increasing distance from thefirst edge towards the intersection point.
 3. The oral care implementaccording to claim 2 further comprising a first wall extending from thesecond edge to the rear surface of the head and a second wall extendingfrom the third edge to the rear surface of the head, each of the firstand second walls being oblique to the rear surface of the head.
 4. Theoral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric edge ofthe top surface of the tissue cleaning pad comprises a first edge thatis entirely flush with the rear surface of the head, and a second edgeand a third edge that are at least partially raised relative to the rearsurface of the head.
 5. The oral care implement according to claim 1wherein each tissue cleaning pad is connected to at least two othertissue cleaning pads by a bridge member.
 6. The oral care implementaccording to claim 1 wherein the tissue cleaning pad and the pluralityof protrusions are formed of the same material.
 7. The oral careimplement according to claim 6 wherein the tissue cleaning pad and theplurality of protrusions are formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.
 8. Theoral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the top surface of thetissue cleaning pad slopes downward toward the rear surface of the headas it extends from a central region of the head towards a peripheralregion of the head.
 9. The oral care implement according to claim 1wherein the first portion of the perimetric edge of the top surface ofthe tissue cleaning pad is curved.
 10. An oral care implementcomprising: a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface;a plurality of tissue cleaning pads positioned on the rear surface ofthe head in a spaced-apart manner and arranged in a grouping, eachtissue cleaning pad further comprising a top surface that is slopedrelative to the rear surface of the head; and a plurality of bridgemembers, wherein each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping is connectedto at least two other tissue cleaning pads in the grouping by at leasttwo bridge members, a first one of the at least two bridge memberscoupling each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping to a first othertissue cleaning pad in the grouping and a second one of the at least twobridge members coupling each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping to asecond other tissue cleaning pad in the grouping; wherein each of thebridge members has an exposed outer surface that is flush with the rearsurface of the head.
 11. The oral care implement according to claim 10further comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending fromthe front surface of the head.
 12. The oral care implement according toclaim 10 wherein each of the tissue cleaning pads comprises a first wallextending from the rear surface of the head to the top surface of thetissue cleaning pad and a second wall extending from the rear surface ofthe head to the top surface of the tissue cleaning pad, and wherein oneof the bridge members is connected to each of the first and second wallsof each of the tissue cleaning pads.
 13. An oral care implementcomprising: a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface;a plurality of tissue cleaning pads positioned on the rear surface ofthe head in a spaced-apart manner and arranged in a grouping, eachtissue cleaning pad further comprising a top surface that is slopedrelative to the rear surface of the head; and a plurality of bridgemembers, wherein each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping is connectedto at least two other tissue cleaning pads in the grouping by at leasttwo bridge members, a first one of the at least two bridge memberscoupling each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping to a first othertissue cleaning pad in the grouping and a second one of the at least twobridge members coupling each tissue cleaning pad in the grouping to asecond other tissue cleaning pad in the grouping; and a plurality ofprotrusions extending from the top surface of each of the tissuecleaning pads.
 14. The oral care implement according to claim 13 whereinthe tissue cleaning pads, the plurality of protrusions, and the bridgemembers are integrally formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.